Twenty-seven members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, have accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of obstructing the implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the re-presentation of the 2025 state budget.

The lawmakers alleged that the governor was unwilling to comply with the court’s directive, particularly the requirement to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the Assembly. They also denied receiving any formal communication from the governor regarding the budget re-presentation.

Reports surfaced last week suggesting that the governor had been locked out of the Assembly complex when he allegedly attempted to re-present the budget, based on formal correspondence, in compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling.

However, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Enemi George, challenged the governor to provide an acknowledged copy of the letter he claimed to have sent to the legislature regarding the budget re-presentation. Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, George insisted that no such letter had been received.

Meanwhile, a letter dated 7 March 2025 from the office of the Secretary to the State Government invited the speaker and all Assembly members to a meeting with the governor on 10 March to discuss, among other issues, the budget presentation. The letter also indicated that discussions would include provisions for a suitable Assembly venue and the payment of outstanding salaries and allowances owed to legislators.

As tensions in Rivers State escalated, the Pan-Niger Delta Youths Forum (PANDYEF) urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and restore peace in the oil-rich state. Simultaneously, hundreds of women from the state’s 23 local government areas called on Fubara to maintain his peaceful stance despite opposition from detractors.

Additionally, stakeholders from the Ogoni ethnic nationality appealed for peace among their people as they continued discussions with the federal government regarding the resumption of oil exploration in the area.

The Rivers State House of Assembly urged the public to demand that Fubara follow due process in presenting the appropriation bill rather than engaging in political theatrics.

George stated, “Last week, on his way to Ogoni for a programme, the governor stopped at the House of Assembly Quarters’ gate and granted a press interview, claiming he had sent a letter to the Assembly regarding his intention to present the budget. However, no such letter was received.”

According to him, aides to the governor later claimed they had sent the letter via WhatsApp to some Assembly members, a move George described as “awkward, unprofessional, and embarrassing.”

The spokesperson accused Fubara of deliberately stalling efforts to resolve the crisis following the Supreme Court judgment. He further alleged that the governor had ignored repeated invitations from the Assembly to address crucial matters, including the invalidation of most commissioners’ appointments and the need to submit new nominees for screening.

George called on the governor to respect the separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution and to engage constructively with the legislature for the state’s progress.